CityInk

About

The Urban Renaissance Book series is the most widly distributed of Cityink’s published products. Available in both online and hardcopy versions, the series is about cities that are getting sustainability right. You can access the books within this site and we invite you to buy a print copy.

CityInk is both a publisher and a publishing services company—regularly adding new volumes to its own book divisions, as well as providing consultation, production, and marketing assistance to groups and individuals seeking to publish their own work.

The company is a diversified supplier of publishing products and services. Its principals have more than a hundred years of combined publishing experience with national and international companies. They understand how to merge the art and science of printing with a unique understanding of storytelling and are steeped in the business of marketing published products.

Bob Towery, Publisher

During a publishing career spanning more than four decades, J. Robert Towery has set a high standard for quality across a spectrum of publishing, printing, and information technologies. The range of products he has published and delivered include soft-cover and hardcover books, business directories, magazines, maps, prepress services, printing, and Internet publishing that have reached an international audience. All of Towery’s efforts are marked by a careful, innovative design philosophy that has become a hallmark of his reputation for quality and service. He has established himself among the country’s leading publishers of books and periodicals showcasing communities, including works for metropolitan chambers of commerce, development organizations, and government entities, as well as independently published products.

Jacques Verhaak, President and CFO

Jacques G. Verhaak spent the first 12 years of his professional career climbing the corporate ladder in the Food Service Industry. His last position, before going on his own as a true entrepreneur, was as Vice President of Operations for a major Airline Catering Company. After successfully meeting the challenges of the corporate environment, Jacques bought a printing company that he grew into a larger and successful enterprise, which he then sold. After a brief retirement, he was recruited by a major print merchant where he served as president for a number of years. Today, along with his role with CityInk, he is a director of a public company, Transglobal Capital Management.

Ardith Bradshaw, Executive Publisher

For the past 15 years, her involvement has been with every aspect of the development and production of award-winning community cookbooks. She has guided publishers from the initial concept phase of their cookbook projects, through recipe collection, testing and selection, and consulted with them regarding decisions about the design and editorial content of their books. This concentration in creating and publishing cookbooks paralleled her development as a gourmet cook and professional caterer, which pursuits informed her growth as a publishing executive.

Jim Tomlinson, Executive Publisher

James B. Tomlinson has spent most of his professional career in publishing, during which time he has worked in over 100 different cities, concentrating on the marketing and promotion of books about communities.

Jim worked for over a decade as a sales and project manager for the much admired Urban Tapestry Series, coordinating civic and commercial entities in projects aimed at the betterment of their communities. He has also developed and published a number of books honoring the leaders of various professional societies.
A Hoosier-born native of Indianapolis, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Miller School of Business at Ball State University. He serves on the boards of the Huntington Communities organization and All Saints Episcopal Church.
As an anodyne to his hectic travel schedule, Jim enjoys gardening and is an avid fan and collector of vintage American cars and trucks—a fascination which led him to win recognition for his restoration work on pickup trucks of the 60s and 70s. This hobby fits well in a lifestyle that includes a love of country music, line dancing, and entertaining friends.

Linda Wetzel, Assistant to the Publisher

A true Volunteer, Linda is a graduate of The University of Tennessee in communications/advertising and has lived throughout the Tennessee Valley. Growing-up in Morristown, Linda has lived in Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville where she currently resides. Linda is a long-term executive in the publishing industry; her experience in account management was great preparation for her role at CityInk. Linda assists us in project coordination, helping us with the organization of sponsors, scheduling and follow through. Linda does a great job handling everything we send her way.

Niki Sepsas, Profile Writer

Niki Sepsas is the profile writer for Urban Renaissance Books. He has worked as a writer of travel, adventure and outdoor articles for both specific and general-interest magazines, as well as creating company and personality profiles for many national and regional newsletters published by corporations and associations. Sepsas was a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and his work has been featured in the National Anthology of Poetry. He serves as a tour guide and lecturer for trips and adventures around the globe.

Noah Towery, Associate Publisher

Writer, painter, and graphic designer Noah Towery has a skillset that uniquely qualifies him for the publishing business. Having spent several years honing his sales abilities, he assumed a role as Associate Publisher with cityink.com focusing on strengthening the ebook versions of the company’s products.